Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Doxorubicin
Severity: Moderate
Clarithromycin and Doxorubicin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Clarithromycin may increase doxorubicin exposure, potentially intensifying myelosuppression, mucositis and cardiotoxicity. Evidence is mostly mechanistic with limited clinical data.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Doxorubicin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Doxorubicin belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Clarithromycin inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, reducing doxorubicin elimination.
What to do
Prefer an antibiotic without these inhibitory effects. If used, monitor blood counts and for cardiac toxicity and mucositis.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Clarithromycin
- Astemizole + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Colchicine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Conivaptan Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Doxorubicin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Doxorubicin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clarithromycin and Doxorubicin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Clarithromycin may increase doxorubicin exposure, potentially intensifying myelosuppression, mucositis and cardiotoxicity. Evidence is mostly mechanistic with limited clinical data.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Doxorubicin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer an antibiotic without these inhibitory effects. If used, monitor blood counts and for cardiac toxicity and mucositis.
What other medicines interact with Clarithromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clarithromycin with, for example, Astemizole, Avanafil, Cisapride. The full list is on the Clarithromycin page.
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